Evaluation of anti-Neospora caninum antibody presence in cow's milk in Kashan

Neosuporosis is caused by a parasitic protozoan called Neospora caninum. This parasite can infect different species of domestic and wild animals. Some studies have reported the possibility of human infection with this parasite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Neospora caninum antibody in raw milk of cattle in Kashan city.
In this study, 187 milk samples were collected from two industrial farms in Kashan. The breed of all cows was Holstein. Before sampling, the livestock information such as age, race, history of abortion and stillbirth, the daily milk yield was recorded in the prepared forms. Fat of the samples was separated by centrifuge and lactoserums were collected. To determine anti-Neospora caninum antibody in milk samples, an indirect ELISA kit was used.
Results showed that 18.8% (CI=18.18±5.53) of the samples were infected with Neospora caninum. No significant relationship was found between the infection with this protozoa and milk production and age of the cows (P=0.84). Also, the results showed that there was no significant relationship between abortion and infection with Neospora.
Considering the contamination rate of cow's milk in Kashan, the implementation of control programs in livestock has great importance. Also, considering the possibility of human infection with Neospora, the need for attention to these control programs is more and more evident.